Abstract: Disclosed is a mouse in which expression of the gene encoding Osteoprotegerin is suppressed. Also disclosed is a nucleic acid construct useful in preparing such a mouse, and a cell line containing such construct.

Abstract: The present invention provides mouse models of growth hormone insensitivity including Laron syndrome. In particular, the present invention provides transgenic mice incapable of expressing functional growth hormone receptor including mice which further cannot express functional growth hormone binding protein. The invention further provides methods for testing the usefulness of chemical compounds in the treatment of growth hormone insensitivity and diabetic end-organ disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vector system that is useful for the generation of mutations in a recombination-based construction method. The invention further includes the incorporation of mutations generated by the method of the present invention into mouse embryonic stem cells and transgenic mice.

Abstract: Methods, including culture media conditions, which provide for isolation and purification of renal tubule stem cells and for in vitro kidney tubulogenesis are disclosed. The methods rely on culturing adult kidney cells in a culture media treated with combinations of transforming growth factor-.beta..sub.1, epidermal growth factor, and all-trans retinoic acid.

Abstract: Myeloproliferative leukemia receptor (mpl) ligands, such as thrombopoietin, act on a primitive subpopulation of human stem cells having the characteristics of self-renewal and ability to give rise to all hematopoietic cell lineages. Thrombopoietin supports both megakaryocytic differentiation and primitive progenitor cell expansion of CD34.sup.+ and CD34.sup.+ sub-populations (CD34.sup.+ Lin.sup.-, CD34.sup.+ Thy-1.sup.+ Lin.sup.-, and CD34.sup.+ Lin.sup.- Rh123.sup.lo). Thrombopoietin also stimulated quiescent human stem cells to begin cycling. Thus, mpl ligands are useful for expanding primitive stem cells for restoration of hematopoietic capabilities and for providing modified human stem cells for gene therapy applications.

Abstract: The present invention discloses MmRad51-deficient transgenic mice and mouse cells, as well as MmRad51/p53-deficient transgenic mice and mouse cells. Also described is a method of screening for proteins that rescue the senescence phenotype in MmRad51/p53-deficient cells.

Abstract: Sulfonylurea receptor nucleic acid and amino acid sequences are disclosed. The invention is also directed to expression vectors comprising the nucleic acid sequences and to isolated host cells that express the nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: A replication defective DNA viral vector that comprises a gene of interest encoding a protein having a demonstrated therapeutic effect on a host cell is disclosed. The vector comprises the gene in operable linkage with a neural tissue-specific promoter, which is a promoter derived from a gene normally produced in the host cell. In particular an HSV-1 vector is used. A preferred DNA defective vector is the dvHBENK which includes a promoter prepared from the rat preproenkephalin gene, the promoter being in operable linkage with the lacZ gene. The disclosed DNA viral vector is useful for achieving stable in vivo long-term expression, in particular in mammalian brain cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides mice which are deficient in the normal expression of one or more members of the RAR or RXR class of receptors, mice which are heterozygous for such deficiency, and to cell lines, preferably pluripotent or totipotent cell lines, which are heterozygous or homozygous for such deficiency. The present invention further provides the use of any of the above mice and cell lines in situations where the absence of at least one RAR or RXR receptor(s), or the normal expression thereof, is desirable.

Abstract: Methods for isolating patched genes, particularly mammalian patched genes, including mouse and human patched genes, as well as invertebrate patched genes and sequences, are provided. Loss-of function of the patched is associated with the occurrence of human cancers, particularly basal cell carcinomas of the skin. The cancers may be familial, having as a component of risk an inherited genetic predisposition, or may be sporadic. Therefore, methods for using the patched gene as a diagnostic for assessing a genetic predisposition to cancer, and to identify specific cancers having mutations in this gene, are disclosed.

Abstract: The novel gene, Rasp-1, which is up-regulated in regenerating liver, is disclosed. The novel RASP-1 protein, which is encoded by the Rasp-1 gene, is also disclosed. In addition, antibodies against the Rasp-1 gene products are also disclosed. Furthermore, the use of Rasp-1 nucleic acid sequences, Rasp-1 gene products, and antibodies against Rasp-1 gene products in the treatment and diagnosis of liver disorders is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition for the transfection of higher eucaryotic cells, comprising complexes of nucleic acid, a substance having an affinity for nucleic acid and optionally an internalizing factor, contains an endosomolytic agent, e.g. a virus or virus component, which may be conjugated. The endosomolytic agent, which is optionally part of the nucleic acid complex, is internalized into the cells together with the complex and releases the contents of the endosomes into the cytoplasm, thereby increasing the gene transfer capacity. Pharmaceutical preparations, transfection kits and methods for introducing nucleic acid into higher eucaryotic cells by treating the cells with the composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided CRF overproducing transgenic mice which exhibit endocrine abnormalities involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, such as elevated plasma levels of ACTH and glucocorticoids. The transgenic mice of the present invention represent a genetic model of CRF overproduction, providing a valuable tool for investigating the long term effects of CRF excess and dysregulation in the central nervous system.

Abstract: Formulations useful in improving non-viral in vivo transfection of DNA in the lungs are provided. Formulations which comprise DNA with various additives are prepared and delivered to the lungs resulting in production of a transcription product.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel recombinant nucleic acid vectors which may be used to produce .alpha.-globin as well as other proteins of interest in quantity in the red blood cells of transgenic animals or cell cultures of erythroid lineage. The present invention also provides for the transgenic animals which contain these recombinant nucleic acid vectors. The vectors of the invention comprise at least one of the major DNase I hypersensitivity sites associated with the .beta.-globin locus together with a gene of interest. According to various embodiments of the invention, the vectors may be used to create transgenic animals or to transfect cells in culture. In a specific embodiment of the invention, a vector which comprises two DNase I hypersensitivity sites together with the human .alpha.-globin gene is used to create transgenic animals which produce human .alpha.-globin protein in erythroid tissues, including red blood cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel family of apoptosis-modulating proteins. Nucleotide and amino acid residue sequences and methods of use thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are transgenic mice genetically engineered for a deficiency of the heart-skeletal muscle isoform of the adenine nucleotide translocator protein (Ant1). These mice exhibit histological, biochemical and physiological signs of deficiency in oxidative phosphorylation and energy generation, and these mice provide the first animal model for mitochondrial myopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This animal model is used in methods for testing compounds for therapeutic value in treating failure to exchange ATP and ADP across the mitochondrial inner membrane, OXPHOS deficiency and in treating cardiac hypertrophy.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse whose genome comprises a disruption of the endogenous growth differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11) gene is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making such mice. The mice exhibit a phenotype of increased muscle tissue.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse with alterations in the H2-Ma gene is prepared by introduction of an altered H2-Ma gene into a host mouse. The resulting transgenic mice do not produce functional H2-M molecules.

Abstract: Compositions comprising lipid carrier-CFTR nucleic acid complexes are disclosed.